Shannon Goff Kukulka

For businesses and organizations in Tennessee, navigating the intricate landscape of employee benefits and executive compensation is a critical yet often complex task. Staying compliant with ever-evolving regulations, managing retirement plans, and structuring executive compensation arrangements requires specialized legal expertise. In Nashville, Shannon Goff Kukulka stands out as a leading attorney dedicated to providing comprehensive and strategic legal counsel in these precise areas. With a unique background that blends legal acumen with real-world experience in human resources and business, Ms. Kukulka offers invaluable insight and practical solutions to her clients. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of Shannon Goff Kukulka’s practice, highlighting her areas of specialization, the convenient location of her office, and what makes her a trusted advisor for local entities in the Volunteer State.

Whether you're a Fortune 500 company, a growing local business, or an organization facing an audit, understanding and complying with laws like ERISA and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is paramount. Shannon Goff Kukulka’s approach is not just about legal knowledge; it’s about applying that knowledge to develop creative, practical, and cost-effective solutions. Her experience as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company, combined with her master’s degree in business and roles in human resources and international law, provides her with a distinctive perspective on complex employee benefits issues. For any business in Tennessee looking for proactive and insightful legal guidance on their compensation and benefits strategies, Ms. Kukulka offers the clarity and expertise needed to avoid pitfalls and ensure compliance.

Shannon Goff Kukulka’s office is conveniently situated at 511 Union St Suite 2700, Nashville, TN 37219, USA. This prime location places her practice within the bustling Nashville City Center, offering exceptional accessibility for clients across Tennessee. Being in the heart of downtown Nashville means that the office is easily reachable whether clients are traveling from within the city or from surrounding areas.

For those commuting by car, the downtown area provides numerous parking garages and metered street parking options nearby, ensuring that clients can find convenient places to park during their visits. Public transportation, including Nashville’s bus network, also serves the downtown core extensively, with bus stops typically located within a short walk of 511 Union Street. This makes her office particularly accessible for individuals who rely on public transit. The central setting is not only practical for client meetings but also benefits from its proximity to various business establishments and other professional services in downtown Nashville, streamlining any related errands or appointments clients may have. This accessible location underscores Shannon Goff Kukulka’s commitment to providing convenient and client-focused legal services to the Tennessee community.

Shannon Goff Kukulka is an experienced employee benefits attorney with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate laws governing compensation and benefits. Her practice focuses on providing strategic advice and practical solutions to employers, plan sponsors, and fiduciaries. Her key service areas include:

• Retirement Plans: Advising on the design, implementation, and compliance of various retirement plans, including pension, 401(k), profit-sharing, and nonqualified plans. This includes ensuring adherence to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and other federal regulations.

• Health and Welfare Plans: Providing counsel on group health and welfare plans, addressing issues related to continuation coverage, and ensuring compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), HIPAA, and other health reform laws.

• Executive Compensation Arrangements: Structuring and advising on executive compensation, including change-in-control provisions, "golden parachute" tax issues, and Section 409A compliance to avoid adverse tax consequences. She also handles equity-based compensation, such as stock options, restricted stock, and phantom stock.

• Benefit Issues in Corporate Transactions: Conducting due diligence and providing guidance on employee benefits matters during mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestitures, financings, and restructurings, including 280G analyses.

• ERISA Litigation Strategy & Government Audits: Assisting clients with litigation strategy related to ERISA and representing them during audits by the IRS, U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).

• Collectively Bargained Plans and International Benefits: Advising on benefit issues arising in union environments and providing counsel on international benefits considerations for multinational companies.

Shannon Goff Kukulka’s extensive knowledge across these areas allows her to offer comprehensive and tailored solutions, helping clients navigate the complex regulatory environment of employee benefits and executive compensation.

Shannon Goff Kukulka’s professional profile is marked by several significant features and highlights that underscore her expertise and effectiveness as an employee benefits attorney.

• Dual Experience (In-House & Private Practice): Her experience as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company provides her with a unique perspective, allowing her to understand client needs from a business standpoint and offer practical, real-world solutions.

• Multidisciplinary Background: Holding a master’s degree in business (International MBA) and having worked in human resources and international law, Ms. Kukulka brings a holistic and broad understanding to complex employee benefits issues.

• Recognized as "Lawyer of the Year": She has been named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law in Nashville multiple times (including 2016, 2023, and 2025), and for Employment Law - Management in Nashville (2023). This recognition is a testament to her standing among her peers.

• Consistently Recognized by Best Lawyers®: Ms. Kukulka has been consistently recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for her work in Corporate Governance Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, and Employment Law - Management since 2021 (and possibly earlier based on other data).

• Speaker and Author: She regularly speaks and provides training on various topics, including healthcare reform laws (ACA), equity incentives, executive compensation, corporate governance related to benefits, fiduciary obligations, and compliance audits. She has also authored several articles for prominent publications.

• Strong Academic Credentials: Her education includes a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, an LL.M. from New York University School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of South Carolina-Coastal (magna cum laude). She also undertook international business courses in Mexico.

• Commitment to Diversity and Mentorship: Ms. Kukulka has spoken about her experience being interracial and highlights her strong support system, aiming to champion others. She was also Past Chair of the Waller Women's Initiative Committee.

These highlights collectively showcase Shannon Goff Kukulka as a highly knowledgeable, experienced, and well-regarded attorney in the field of employee benefits and executive compensation.

In the specialized field of employee benefits and executive compensation law, as practiced by Shannon Goff Kukulka, the concept of "promotions" or "special offers" differs from conventional retail or service discounts. Instead, the inherent value derived from her extensive expertise and strategic approach serves as the primary benefit to clients.

Engaging Shannon Goff Kukulka means benefiting from her unique blend of legal knowledge, in-house corporate experience, and human resources insight. The "special offer" here is the assurance of receiving highly practical, creative, and cost-effective solutions to complex employee benefits issues that might otherwise lead to significant penalties or litigation. Her consistent recognition as "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® in her field further underscores the caliber of her services.

While specific fee reductions or limited-time deals are not typically applicable in this professional domain, prospective clients are strongly encouraged to reach out for a consultation. This initial discussion provides an invaluable opportunity to detail your specific employee benefits or executive compensation challenges. It allows Ms. Kukulka to understand your needs thoroughly and propose tailored strategies. This direct and transparent engagement ensures that clients fully appreciate the significant long-term value of investing in her highly specialized and effective legal counsel.

To connect with Shannon Goff Kukulka for your employee benefits and executive compensation legal needs in Nashville, Tennessee, you can use the following contact information:

• Address: 511 Union St Suite 2700, Nashville, TN 37219, USA

• Phone: (615) 850-8521 (While the provided phone numbers differ slightly from her firm's official listed number for her, which is +1.615.850.8493, the provided number can serve as a primary point of contact).

• Mobile Phone: +1 615-850-8521

The most efficient way to inquire about services or schedule a consultation is by calling the provided phone numbers. When contacting the office, it is beneficial to have a brief overview of your organization's employee benefits or executive compensation challenges ready. This will help the team efficiently direct your inquiry and ensure you receive the most relevant assistance from the outset. The central downtown Nashville location of the office also offers convenience for clients who prefer in-person meetings, which can be arranged by appointment to discuss complex matters in detail.

For businesses and organizations across Tennessee, Shannon Goff Kukulka is an exceptionally suitable choice for legal counsel, particularly when navigating the intricate world of employee benefits and executive compensation. Her unique blend of legal expertise, extensive in-house corporate experience, and background in human resources provides a distinctive advantage, allowing her to offer practical and client-focused solutions that truly understand the operational realities of businesses. Locals can benefit immensely from her deep understanding of federal regulations like ERISA and the ACA, which is crucial for ensuring compliance and mitigating risks in compensation and benefits planning.

Her consistent recognition as "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® underscores her exceptional standing and effectiveness within the legal community, instilling confidence in clients seeking top-tier representation. The convenient location of her office in downtown Nashville ensures easy access for businesses in the metropolitan area and beyond. Whether you are a small business owner looking to set up compliant retirement plans or a large corporation facing complex benefits litigation, Ms. Kukulka’s ability to develop creative, practical, and cost-effective solutions makes her an invaluable asset. For Tennessee entities seeking sophisticated and reliable legal guidance in employee benefits and executive compensation, Shannon Goff Kukulka offers a professional, knowledgeable, and highly effective resource.